The Sports Illustrated Magazine in Spanish selected as one of the best Olympic Boxers one of the scions of the boxing dynasty. His name is Shawn Estrada and he received his inspiration in boxing from Juan Leon Estrada [who is his father] and Adan Estrada [who is his uncle] as well as his daughter Alyssa. Juan Leon Estrada was a boxer on Mexican Olympic Team while Adan Estrada was a Professional Boxer. Shawn Estrada is a Middleweight Boxer.

Shawn Estrada began life in East Los Angeles, California on the 1st of April 1965. At the present time, he lives and trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Even though his family was opposed to his boxing, he managed to sneak in the gymnasium and was able to start boxing. He began his boxing career in 1997 and started a meteoric rise.

In the year 2005, Shawn Estrada participated in the National PAL Championships against Siju Shabazz, Tristian Todd, Daniel Jacobs. Shawn Estrada participated in the World Cup against Sergey Rabchenko. His only defeat was against Nagy Andras [3-0] and Szello Imre [3-0] in the United States of America against Hungary [which was a dual match]. Shawn Estrada participated in the U.S. Championships. In the year 2006, Shawn Estrada participated in the Six Nations Cup, National PAL Championships, US Championship, the National PAL Championships, and the Ken Goff Duals. In the year 2007, Shawn Estrada participated in USA vs. China, AIBA World Championships, USA vs. Australia Dual, U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and the U.S. Championships. During the year 2008, Shawn Estrada participated in the Americas Qualifier I, Americas Qualifiers II, and was the America’s Qualifiers Gold Medalist. In this same year, Shawn Estrada was also the 2008 United States Olympian.

In spite of being one of the best Olympic Boxer on the ring, he is also the best Olympic Boxer off the ring devoting time to his family and his community. Shwan Estrada also finds time for his studies. Shawn Estrada admitted to NBC Olympics that he is studying fire technology with the hope of becoming a firefighter. He also said that boxing, studying, and family kept him away from drugs and gangs.

While I would like to wish the people who are participating in the Beijing Olympics of 2008 the best in their sports, Shawn Estrada deserves a medal in the Olympics for his actions combined with words off the boxing ring as well as on it. I would not be surprised if Shawn Estrada were to one day follow in the footsteps of the famous Panamanian Boxer Mano de Piedra Duran [also known as Roberto Duran]. It is with this reason and much more that I support Shawn Estrada.

REFERENCE:
USA Boxing: “Shawn Estrada”
http://www.usaboxing.org/86_1428.htm

NBC Olympics: «Shawn Estrada»
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=591/bio/index.html